In 2014, CSHP sponsored Senate Bill 1039 with Senator Ed Hernandez to eliminate the regulatory requirements for hospital pharmacists to conduct medication room inspections and stocking of emergency supplies by allowing pharmacy technicians and intern pharmacists to perform those functions. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), with issuance of an All Facilities Letter (AFL) 2014-34 directed hospitals to submit a program flex before they could move forward with utilization of pharmacy technicians in their new expanded role. The requirement for submission and approval of a CDPH program flex limited the adoption of the new law by hospitals.

CSHP working with our lobbying firm, the Weideman Group, queried CDPH as to the necessity for a program flex requirement. Today, in response to our efforts, CDPH issued AFL 18-13 stating; "facilities do not need to request program flexibility to allow pharmacy technicians and intern pharmacists to operate within their scope of practice."

CSHP is proud to be leading the pharmacy evolution to empower pharmacy technicians & intern pharmacists to lead on these types of responsibilities, while freeing up pharmacists to practice at the top of their license in a post-SB 493 world.

CSHP would like to thank CDPH for their quick response to our inquiries and we would also like to thank Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez and his staff for their assistance in this process. For continual information in regards to SB 1039, please visit our webpage or contact CSHP Government Affairs Liaison, Megan Page, at advocacy@cshp.org.

###

Founded in 1962, the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) is a non-profit professional association established to serve the needs of hospital and health-system pharmacists. Representing over 4,000 members who practice clinical pharmacy and specialized medicine, CSHP is the largest state association for pharmacists. CSHP members share a common mission – to promote wellness, patient safety and the optimal use of medication.